An actor whose life sparked the formation of an arts programme in North Yorkshire will be celebrated and remembered with a film night next week.

Much Ado About Dying is at Rural Arts, Thirsk on Thursday, September 26 from 7.30pm, which showcases the last four years of the life of actor David Gale.

The film about David, which was made by his nephew Simon, follows the life and love for life of the actor, which won many awards when it was released.

David's talents even inspired people up in North Yorkshire, through Max May, former CEO of Rural Arts in Thirsk. 

David GaleDavid Gale (Image: FILM) When Max volunteered for a befriending service while living in London, little could he have known how being paired with housebound thespian David would impact his life.

Their connection sparked a chain of events which has led to the screening of the comedic, warm and moving film with a special audience with the director next week.

Max said: “I was living in London and volunteered for a befriending service for older LGBT+ people.

"I was paired with David because we both worked in the arts. By the time I met him, David was in his mid-80s and housebound.

"We talked about everything - his career, my life.

"It was very interesting to discuss similarities and differences, both in terms of being gay and being in the arts.”

Max returned to North Yorkshire and shortly afterwards David passed away.

David died in 2020David died in 2020 (Image: MUCH ADO ABOUT DYING) He thought of him often but only discovered a film by David’s nephew Simon when he stumbled across an article in The Guardian.

But in the meantime, the joy and exuberance David had displayed had such a profound effect on Max that it changed the way he thought about ageing and led him to develop creative ageing programmes at Rural Arts.

“My time with David informed the programmes I developed while I was at Rural Arts," added Max.  

"Two programs, one which is a creative wellbeing activity in village halls for older people called Heart and Craft.

"The other is activities in the houses of housebound or in care homes called ArtBeat. 

“My experience with David led me to shape those and fundraise for them and now they're still going and having an impact on people's lives.

"David's legacy is in this film but those programmes are also his legacy because he's inspired them.”

Much Ado About Dying follows David’s life with Simon, over four eventful years he spent caring for his uncle until the latter died in early 2020. 

Most read:

Subscribe to The Northern Echo now for just £3 for 3 months or 30% off an annual subscription.

Rural Arts’ current lead on Creative Ageing, Julian Hartley said: “It’s wonderful to be able to show this film at Rural Arts.

"David was such an inspiration to the work that we do and which has continued to develop with a positive impact on many people's lives.”

“Showing this film is also a bit of a clarion call to say we need to support our voluntary organisations to be there for our older people who need our support and services,” he said.

The event in Thirsk on September 26 is priced at £9.00 – £11.00 and will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker.